I wish I was American...

[jj]

from Steven Page (in exile from bare naked ladies) songwriters circle

YouTube- Luke Doucet - I Wish I Was American, Steven Page Songwriter Panel Part 15 Ships and Dip V


Luke is a fine talent and married to Melissa who has fine videos...she is sarah harmer, kathleen edwards and leslie feist all rolled into one ...the pair are now Hamiltonians, pretty great music scene out there


these are great images, imo:

YouTube- Melissa McClelland - Passenger 24


i know this bridge all too well...joined by the spiritual Greg Keelor from Blue Rodeo:

YouTube- Melissa McClelland - Skyway Bridge

[Yuri]

Thanks for these JJ. Hadn't heard of Melissa before - quite the talent. Beautiful images for sure along Rt 66.
I spent many a childhood evening beneath the Skyway bridge piers, chasing Great Lake Freighters loaded with iron ore as then entered Burlington Bay. Later, put myself through university working in those steel mills belching smoke. Great images as well!

[jj]

hi Yuri, if not for a commitment i'd think of over heading over that bridge to the wonderful coffee shop in Dunnville http://www.flyersindunnville.com/ this Monday, my kinda venue

thanks for sharing the anecdotes, it's so nostagic (as are this couple) to trek from east of the old green lift bridge (the alt route when too windy for the skyway) along the shore or roadway toward Confederation park and the old huuuge wave pool...i love the soft focus on Keelor throughout the vid...

my kid exclaims 'this is the best place in the world!' whenever we venture along the rocks, pollution and all...come to think of it, he also loved the deserted shores of Glace Bay and the tar ponds in Sydney...i guess it's in his blood, lol, his grandfather was at Dofasco for 40 years

they are fun couple, here is a neat tune from the 'your neighbours dog' TV series on SCN where they film house concerts, terrific stuff, imo

YouTube- Luke Doucet & Melissa McClelland - Emily Please


actually, maybe this is more my type of venue, nice lineup!

http://cayamo.com/Artists/

[Yuri]

Curiosity piqued, if physically able, I'd love to head to Dunville to check out Melissa at such a curious and intimate venue. Sadly, my closest childhood friend called Dunnville home prior to his untimely death in '07.
Great memories beneath the Skyway - the piers dotted with flickering lanterns with fishermen casting nets in pursuit of smelt when it was still safe to eat what came from it's waters. Further east I used to turn blue swimming the frigid waters at Van Wagner's beach.
Will check out more of Melissa McClelland's videos on YouTube.
Thanks

[jj]

Originally Posted by Yuri

Curiosity piqued, if physically able, I'd love to head to Dunville to check out Melissa at such a curious and intimate venue

it looks like a place that could take you back in time, and I'm sure she would help ease that along with her stylings

I was eying the upcoming gig in that Victorian Foster's Pub/Inn out in Stratford...maybe tie it into a play...wonder if Shatner still there, heh

so she is up for 3 Hamilton Music Awards (like the Junos but grittier, no Furtado or Buble allowed) including best new artist, I'd recommend her last 2 cds, Luke is good producer...Luke is also up for guitarist of the year...it's odd that he is up against Mark Severn who has been deceased for over 3 years

anyhow, she sang backups for Sarah McLachlan and appears on the pleasant acoustic Blue Rodeo Live at Massey recording

side story: she was asked spontaneously to sing a verse of the classic Lost Together live...Keelor wasn't impressed that she had to read lyrics off of Luke's inked arm...Keelor couldn't understand how she could have made out with boyfriend(s) for years under the Skyway Bridge and not known those lyrics by heart...lol, so true

my first exposure to Melissa was as 'the voice' to this theme....I used to tinkle it on piano for the kid and one day was curious as to who's clean voice that was...good trivia

YouTube- This Is Daniel Cook - Theme Song

too bad she didnt get royalty$ ever time that jingle played!

...the premature loss of your close friend is very sad

[charlene]

that Daniel Cook theme sticks in your head forever....

[jj]

it sure does, char, lol

so does his bratty voice unfortunately, lol...he's from 'Oakville' I believe

we did a This Is HJ parody one day, real hoot...i will find it one day, no label!


good luck if you attend, Yuri...I'm sure some of Gord's phrasing and imagery subliminally rubbed off on her, as she mentions this is what was played by her folks YouTube- Melissa McClelland Interview #1 ...I lived in Burlington but never ran into her...she was born in Chicago which I see I failed to mention in my first post (that was supposed to be the play/irony in the Subject line, duh)

re Route 66, I am trying to get my hands on that documentary called Pedal to Steel which is where the video images are from